Just got a new computer

General Forums Off-topic Chat
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Hey there, I just got a new (actually, it’s quite old) computer for $20 without an OS or monitor or keyboard or whatnot.

I’m thinking of installing Linux on it; I’m wanting a good blendering machine, what version of Linux should I use?

I actually don’t have the computer with me, it’s still “shipping” but it’s always good to get some advice on what to do.

-Funddevi

P.S. If you need any more info on what I’m wanting/the computer, just ask and hopefully I can provide it.

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What’s the hardware specification?

Generally I recommend Ubuntu or a Ubuntu derivative.

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Thanks for the quick reply, unfortunately I don’t know much about it besides that it has 2.4 (2.5?) GHz processor and 512 MB or RAM.

Please mind my ignorance, I’m not a computer nerd.

-Funddevi

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These days any processor will do, but for the best performance I recommend you upgrade the ram to 1gb or more. Ubuntu is definitely the best Linux for personal use.

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Thanks for the help, hopefully when I get it I can drop a few (hundred) bucks into upgrades.

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I just got it! I haven’t tried booting it up yet though (we’re downloading Ubuntu 8.04 right now).

Anybody have any advice for Ubuntu, or just Linux in general? I’m new to Linux so expect a few “I have problems with Ubuntu” threads.

-Funddevi

EDIT: I’d like some help in finding drivers, as the (10.4 GB) hard drive was totally wiped before I bought it.

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EDIT: I’d like some help in finding drivers, as the (10.4 GB) hard drive was totally wiped before I bought it.

If you’re going to go with Linux most of the drivers you’ll need will be on the install CD. The rest will either more or less auto download from the web :slight_smile: or won’t be available. :frowning:

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EDIT: I’d like some help in finding drivers, as the (10.4 GB) hard drive was totally wiped before I bought it.

There is only one thing I will recommend during install, that is make 3 partitions:
A root partition set at 4GB it is known as / use the ext3 file system.
A swap partition set at 1GB it is known as swap using the swap file system.
And finally a home partition set at 5.4GB it is known as /home use the ext3 file system.

Notice how /home stems from root, / .

This will help you if you ever need to re-install the operating system or choose to try out another Linux distribution. As all your personal files are stored in /home, while all system files are stored in / .

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I’d follow kit89’s advice.

Things that can be tricky:
Using an old modem
USB wireless network dongles

Either of these apply to you?

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add ATI gfx cards to that list. quite allot of problems posted on Ubuntu forums are related to ATI.

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You are lucky with a cheap computer.

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fundevi, there’s always irc for help with problems too (if you don’t have a client you could go to java.freenode.net) you can join a tonne of channels, like #ubuntu (or the less official ##ubuntu-uncensored (I find it’s less cluttered, and friendly)) however be careful with any advice someone gives you, good thing to read the man pages or google w/e they suggest if you don’t know what it does. http://freeengineer.org/learnUNIXin10minutes.html <-- this is an excellent beginners tutorial to using the shell/terminal, if you need it. I suggest learning this if you do not already know it, it can be very useful. Anyway if you’re ever on irc I usually am in #chirpbot, and my nick is chirpsalot, every so often I am in ##ubuntu-uncensored. I may be able to help, and am usually online, since I have no life :D. Feel free to message me, though I may not be able to answer all of your questions I may be able to help. Happy *nixing :D.